Comments

1. wandermom on March 3, 2010 at 3:27 p.m.
   

   This may work as a read-aloud: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASI...

   (I just happen to be spending an inordinate amount of time looking for kids books on odd places myself lately).
   If you find anything in the 9-12 range on Tamarlane or Genghis Khan you can return the favor :)

2. GBK Gwyneth on March 3, 2010 at 5:38 p.m.
   

   We too are headed to Turkey in a few months. My kids (11 and 7 -- well turning 8 while in Turkey -- she turned 7 while in Paris last year ... poor thing) are a bit older than yours.

   I am looking forward to seeing what resources you come up with, and I would appreciate exchanging information directly with you as well.

   We will be in Ankara, Cappadocia, Istanbul, Ephesus and other places while on our trip.

   My girls and I have been learning basic Turkish through Mango Languages.

   I have read some books by Pamuk. I've also read a couple "mysteries" by Barbara Nadel. The book that really reached me (so far) is "Tales from the Ex-Pat Harem"; it is not non-fiction, but I enjoyed it.

   I've found this website to be very helpful:
   http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/

   As vegetarians, we had some difficulties in Japan, but I understand Turkey won't be as difficult for us.

   I've enjoyed this blog:
   http://www.turkishmuse.com/

   I also hear that sunscreen and tampons are not easy to find in Turkey!

3. Amy on March 3, 2010 at 6:05 p.m.
   

   http://traveler.nationalgeographic.co...

   go to link above for Turkey books in National Geographic Traveler's Ultimate Travel Library, including:
   Tales from the Expat Harem, edited by Anastasia Ashman and Jennifer Eaton Gokmen (2006). Follow the journeys of 29 women as they discover Turkey and its people in this collection of stories designed to reveal a culture often veiled in mystique. A 30-year-old African American encounters a lust-filled dating scene in Istanbul; a shy English teacher confronts her self-image in a 13th-century bathhouse; an Iowan evangelist is changed by the very Turkish souls she hoped to convert.

4. GBK Gwyneth on March 3, 2010 at 7:10 p.m.
   

   Thanks Amy! I'm going to look into those books.

   And I see I double-negatived the Ex-Pat Harem! I meant that it is "not fiction"....oops. Both my 11-yo and I found the short stories in it very enlightening... Camille enjoyed reading it poolside in Cancun last month...
   http://gwyneth.butera.org/travels/1749/

5. Lori on March 4, 2010 at 2:17 p.m.
   

   I really liked My Name Is Red and Snow, also by Pamuk ...
   @GBK Gwyneth -- I found tampons easily at a pharmacy in some small town on the Med -- I doubt that it would be a problem.
   Cappadocia and Istanbul are wonderful! Although I was childless when I went (it was on my honeymoon) I can imagine that it is a great place to brings kids. I cannot wait to see/hear what you discovery.

6. Lucia on March 4, 2010 at 2:28 p.m.
   

   I second the recommendation for Ex-pat Harem. Very quick and interesting read. I also recommend "Birds without Wings" and "Turkish Reflections". For family reading, head to the library and check out the children's non-fiction section for books about the culture and history. We also found a good book with Turkish folk tales at the library but I can't remember the name right now.

   We had a GREAT time in Turkey just a few months ago. It's a fabulous and interesting place to travel with kids. Where are you headed? Here are a few posts from our trip:

   Istanbul
   http://bagelsandcrawfish.blogspot.com...

   Cappadochia
   http://bagelsandcrawfish.blogspot.com...

   Ankara
   http://bagelsandcrawfish.blogspot.com...

   We are hoping to get back again soon to explore the coast. Happy Reading!

7. Lucia on March 4, 2010 at 2:47 p.m.
   

   Also, wanted to add that we watched a globe trekker in Turkey dvd out from the library which also helped to fuel the excitement....gave the kids a good visual of where we were headed and now they are begging to go back so we can stay in the tree houses!

   http://www.amazon.com/Globe-Trekker-T...

8. Debbie on March 6, 2010 at 8:05 a.m.
   

   Wow! Thanks for all the great recommendations. I'd better start loading up my kindle!

9. cosmicpmt on August 8, 2011 at 12:21 p.m.
   

   If you're interested about relationships between women on holiday and Turkish men working in tourism, this novel aims to tell a story from a different perspective to the usual media stories, with cultural insights. Check out the reviews for yourself:

   http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-revie...